A Walker 3-pointer gave Morehead State a 14-12 lead with 14 minutes left in the first half, and AJ Hicks stole the ball and drained a 3 pushing the lead to 34-18 nine minutes later.

The Cougars cut that down to 40-32 by halftime and caught up, 53-all midway through the second half. McFarland and Treavon Martin made back-to-back shots that pushed SIUE into a 66-63 lead and the Eagles could never catch up in the last seven minutes.

Williford made four free throws and McFarland two in the last 18 seconds to keep Morehead State at bay.